'Assad rules Syria like a Pharaoh'

RNW, 26 April 2011, by Klaas den Tek

Rotterdam filmmaker Rosh Abdelfatah has created a special Facebook page for his Syrian compatriots. He posts videos from Syria on YouTube to support the opposition in his native country.

(Photo: RNW/Klaas den Tek)

Abdelfattah’s eyes are glued to the computer screen. He receives a continuous stream of messages from Syria on his Facebook page. On the internet at least, the opposition has freed itself from the iron grip of the regime.

Arbitrary rule

Rosh Abdelfatah (29) is a Syrian of Kurdish descent. He formed part of an amateur theatrical company and wrote plays. He was eventually arrested but escaped to the Netherlands in 1999.

“You are alive, but you don’t exist. In Syria it is illegal to say you are a Kurd. Or to speak your own language. My existence was not acknowledged, I was an illegal alien in my own country.”

Rosh Abdelfatah says Syria is in the grip of a violent and arbitrary rule. Not just for the Kurds, but for all citizens. People are thrown in jail for years and then suddenly released because they are innocent. For instance because the shops they allegedly held up were actually robbed by supporters of President Bashar al-Assad. Abdelfatah’s uncle was beaten up by the security service because his tractor did not get out of the way fast enough.

Tanks and snipers

For weeks, Syrians have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against the Assad regime, which has deployed tanks and snipers to suppress the protests. Hundreds of people have been killed in the crackdown so far.

Abdelfatah has been gathering evidence of the violence that has been inflicted upon the protesters by the regime since the demonstrations first started in March. He also posts videos about corruption in education and law enforcement. Abdelfatah is conflicted about not being in Syria now.

“It is difficult. I’m here in Rotterdam, but would prefer being among the young people. On the other hand, you also need people here to give voice to the protesters. Somebody’s got to do it.”

Dreams

So far, the regime in Damascus appears to be solidly in control. The Syrian government has ignored new sanctions announced by European countries and the United States. President Assad will not budge.

"And yet I’m hopeful. I’m convinced the regime will fall quickly. The repression, the one party system, a president ruling like a Pharaoh: Things just cannot continue like this.”

Rosh Abdelfatah is currently involved in establishing a European Syrian centre. A place where artists and dissident scan show what exactly is going on in Syria. A place where people where people can start dreaming about a Syria without Assad.

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